Rope hitching device for scaffolding apparatus



.w-irlm April 1960 M. J. LANG ERT 2,934,302

ROPE HITCHING DEVICE FOR SCAFFOLDING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 17, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I

INVENTOR MATTHEW J LANGERT By I A TTORNE Y April 26, 1960 M. .1. LANGERT 2,934,302

ROPE HITCHING DEVICE FOR SCAFFQLDING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 17, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet z nvvmv TOR MATTHEW J. LANGERT A TTORNEY United States ROPE HITCHING DEVICE FOR SCAFFGLDING APPARATUS This invention relates to scaffolding apparatus comprising a pair of spaced stirrups and a hauling line for each stirrup, and more specifically to a device attached integrally to each stirrup and supporting a hitch and/ or loops formed in the free end of each hauling rope for suspending the scaffolding apparatus at preselected elevations.

' In a well-known type of swing scaffolding apparatus comprising a pair of spaced stirrups for supporting a workmans platform and a pair of block and tackle devices for raising and lowering the apparatus, it is a common practice to hitch the free end of each hauling rope directly to the block and tackle hook at the point where it engages the stirrup. As a consequence, it is necessary for a workman to pull up the scaffolding apparatus to re move the rope slack from the hook, then unhitch the hauling rope, play out the hauling line via his hands, and finally re-form the bitch on the block and tackle hook when the scaffolding apparatus has been lowered to the desired position. The formation of an adequate hitch and the maintenance of such bitch in firm engagement with the block and tackle hook have always been a matter of great concern from a safety standpoint to workmen on the scaffolding apparatus.

The main object of the invention is to enable a safe attachment of the free end of a hauling rope in a swing scaffolding apparatus.

' Another object is to provide an improved control of the hauling rope during the lowering movements of a swing scaffolding apparatus.

A further object is to introduce an additional safety factor in the manipulation of the hauling line during the lowering of a swing scaffolding apparatus.

Another object is to tend to obviate the failure of the human factor involved in the lowering movements of a .swing scaffolding apparatus.

Another object is to maintain the hitch in the hauling line atleast in a loose formation at all times during the lowering movements of a swing scafiolding apparatus. I Still another object is to minimize the physical effort required by a Workman to effect a lowering movement of the scaffolding apparatus.

A familiar swing scaffolding apparatus comprises a pair of spaced stirrups for supporting a workmans platform, each stirrup having a ring member afiixed to a central uppermost portion thereof, block and tackle devices having suitable hauling ropes, shackles for attaching the block and tackle devices to the ring members, and struc tures depending from the central uppermost portions of the stirrups to engage hitches formed in the hauling ropes for holding the scaffolding apparatus in preselected elevated positions as well as to provide a snubbing surface for the hauling rope as the latter is played out to lower the scaffolding apparatus into other preselected elevated positions therebelow.

The present invention, in association with the foregoing swing scaifolding apparatus, comprises essentially an L-shape element effectively perpendicularly disposed ice to a surface of the structure depending from the central uppermost portion of each stirrup. The L-shape element engages in a firm frictional engagement a hitch formed in the free end of the hauling line whereby the swing scaffolding apparatus is held at preselected elevations above, for example, a ground surface or the like. Also, the L-shape element supports a loose hitch in the hauling rope whereby the swing scaffolding apparatus may be gradually lowered to other positions with a feeling of safety and security on the part of the workman on the scaffolding apparatus since such loose hitch would instantaneously firmly frictionally engage the associated hook due to the weight of the scaffolding apparatus in the event of a tendency toward human failure on the part of the workman.

A modification concerns the formation of the structure depending from the central uppermost portion of each stirrup in an inverted Y-shape, i.e., the termination of such structure in a bifurcated free end. This enables the hauling rope to be manipulated in hitches and/or loops on the L-shape element and/or the legs of the bifurcated end of each depending structure.

A feature of the invention is that the scaffolding apparatus can be lowered by merely loosening the hitches or loops, and then allowing the weight of the scaffolding apparatus including the weight of the workman thereon to lower it to the next desired elevation. This tends to obviate unnecessary physical effort required on the part of the workman to lower the scaffolding apparatus.

The invention will be readily understood from the following description when taken together with the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a scaffolding apparatus including a specific embodiment of the invention supporting a hitch formed in a hauling rope;

Figs. 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8 are fragmentary views of Fig. 1 showing the specific embodiment of the invention supporting hitches and loops in the hauling rope;

Fig. 4 is a rear elevational view of the fragmentary views shown in Figs. 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 5-5 in Fig. 1 with the hauling line removed.

Fig. 1 discloses a familiar swing scaffolding apparatus comprising a stirrup 10 including an integral horizontal leg 11 adapted to support a wooden platform 12. A vertical rod 13 at its lowermost end 14 is formed integral with a lower portion of stirrup side 15. An arcuate bridge 16 connects upper end portions 17 and 18 of rod 13 and stirrup side 15, respectively. The uppermost end portion 19 of rod 13 is terminated in a rectangular opening 20 for accommodating one end of an elongated rectangular wooden bar, not shown, which serves as a safety barrier in the usual manner for a workman on the scaffolding apparatus. A block and tackle device 21 is provided with a hook 22 at its uppermost end for attachment to a point from which the scaffolding apparatus is suspended in the well-known manner.

A fiat member 23 formed integrally with a lowermost portion of the block and tackle device movably supports a shackle 24. The latter includes a lowermost arcuate portion 25 which movably engages an annular member 26 having a segment formed integral with and effectively at a central point of an uppermost portion 27 of the stirrup and being disposed thereabove. This effectively non-disengagably secures the block and tackle device to the stirrup. It will be readily evident that the block and tackle device may be expeditiously manipulated to raise and/or lower the stirrup to different elevations above a given horizontal plane by appropriate manipulation offree end 28 of the hauling rope included in the block and tackle device in a manner well known in the rigging art.

While the foregoing describes one stirrup structure for supporting one end of the wooden platform for a workman, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that two such stirrup structures are required to support in the familiar manner the two opposite ends of the Wooden platform on which the workman stands. Also, it will be apparent that the one stirrup structure aforeexplained simplifies the instant illustration of the invention described below without impairing an adequate disclosure thereof as will be presently seen. 7

A specific embodiment of the present invention utilized with the scaffolding apparatus afore-described in Fig. 1 comprises essentially a member 30 depending effectively from the uppermost central point of the stirrup and having one end formed integrally with such stirrup portion substantially in proximity of and in vertical alignment with the annular member 26 as shown in Figs. 1,4 and 5. The member 30 has its opposite or free end bifurcated or formed with two integral and divergent legs 31 and 32. Thus, the depending member comprises essentially an inverted Y-shape.

An L-shape element 33 illustrated in Figs. 1 and and disposed transversely to a wide side of member 39 has one end 34 anchored in the latter side along the elongated axis thereof. This element also has its 0pposite or free end 35 bent upwardly and lying in a plane which is aproximately parallel with but spaced from a plane of annular member 26 whereby an axis of the bent end and a diameter of the annular member lie approximately in parallel relation in a transverse plane as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5. In other Words, the axis of the bent end 35 lies approximately in a plane which includes the central point of the uppermost portion of the stirrup to which the annular member 26 and the depending member 30 are effectively secured. The free ends of the divergent legs and the free end of the bent end are rounded off in order to permit thereabout an expeditious manipulation of the free end of the hauling rope included in the block and tackle device, in a manner and for a purpose that will be subsequently explained.

The operation of the invention is substantially as follows: Initially, the free rope end 28 of the hauling rope in the block and tackle device is manipulated by a workman on the ground or like surface to raise the stirrup and thereby the swing scaffolding apparatus to a preselected elevation above a given horizontal plane in a manner well known to the rigging art. Next, the free rope end 28 manipulated by a workman on the scaffolding apparatus is brought under the crotch of divergent legs 31 and 32, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, then up and around L- shape member 33, and finally terminated thereon via its so-called bitter end in the familiar rigging hitch as illustrated in Fig. 1. The relatively large frictional effect occasioned between the hauling rope and L-shape member in response to the weight of the scaifolding apparatus pulling in a downward direction on the hauling rope serves to lock the rope hitch in a firm frictional grip on the L-shape member. When it is desired to lower the scaffolding apparatus to a different elevation, the workman loosens the hitch on the L-shape element in Fig. 1, then feeds the hauling rope around the L-shape element and under the crotch formed by the divergent legs 31 and 32, and finally allows the hitch to re-form itself on the L- shape member in response to the weight of the scaffolding apparatus when the latter has reached the desired elevation. I

in regard to the formation of the rope bitch on the L- shape element as shown in Fig. 1, it will be understood that each workman will secure the free end of the hauling rope in such manner as to provide himself with maximum security and safety, while at the same time permitting an expeditious playing out of the hauling line to lower the scaffolding apparatus to different elevations. Accordingly, the following arrangements are suggested for the use of a hitch and/or two or more loops to provide a frictional effect which tends to supplement that occasioned by the hitch alone shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 2 illustrates the free rope end formed in sequence in a bitch on L-shape member 33 in the manner of Fig. l, in one loop on leg 31, in another loop on leg 32, and finally in a hitch on leg 31;

Fig. 3 delineates the free rope end formed in sequence in a loop around L-shape member 33, in a loop on leg 31, in a loop on leg 321,.and finally in ahitch on leg 31;

Fig. 6 shows the L-shape element 33 by-passed and the free rope end formed in sequence in a loop on leg 31, in a loop on leg 32, and finally in a hitch on leg 31;

Fig. 7 illustrates the free rope end formed in sequence in a loop on L-shape member 33, in a loop on leg 31, and finally in a hitch on leg 32; and

Fig. 8 delineates the free rope end formed in sequence in a hitch on L-shape member 33, in a loop on leg 31, and finally in a hitch on leg 32. v

t will be understood that the invention disclosed in the specific embodiment herein for the purpose of the instant description is capable of modification by those skilled in the art, and is therefore to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a swing scaifolding apparatus including a stirrup comprising a horizontal element and a non-linear element having its opposite ends joined to the opposite ends of said horizontal element and extending thereabove in one plane therewith, said horizontal and non-linear elements having an opening therebetween, a block and tackle including a hauling rope having one end fixedly attached thereto and its opposite end free, said block and tackle being detachably connected to an uppermost portion of said non-linear element and disposed above said last-mentioned portion for raising and lowering said stirrup in a vertical plane coincident with said one plane under control of said free rope end, means for engaging said free rope end as said last-mentioned free rope end is controlled to raise and lower said stirrupin said vertical plane as well as to hold said stirrup in different fixed positions therein, said last-mentioned means comprising a rectilinear member having one end fastened to said uppermost element portion and depending normally therefrom in said opening in said one plane, said member having its opposite end bifurcated, said member andbifurcated end engaging said last-mentioned controlled free rope end, and means attached to said member adjacent to said bifurcated end thereof and projecting from said member in a plane normal to said one plane for receiving said last-mentioned free rope end from said bifurcated end and supporting a bitch in said last-mentioned free rope end as said last-mentioned free rope end is controlled to raise and lower said stirrup in saidvertical plane as well as to hold said stirrup in said different fixed positions therein.

2. The scaffolding apparatus according to claim 1 in which said last-mentioned attached means comprises rectilinear leg having one end mounted on said member adjacent said bifurcated end thereof and projecting normally from said member, said leg having its opposite end bent upwardly and disposed substantially in .parallel relation with said member, said leg and bent free end thereof lying in said normal plane for receiving said free rope end from said bifurcated end, said leg supporting a hitch in said last-mentioned free rope end as said last-mentioned free rope end is controlled to raise and lower said stirrup in said vertical plane as well as to hold said stirrup in said fixed position therein.

3. The scaffolding apparatus according to claim l i n which said last-mentioned attached means comprises two legs, one of said legs having one end mounted on, said member and projecting normally therefrom, and a second of said legs having one end secured to the opposite end of said one leg and extending in a direction upwardly from said one leg substantially in parallel relation with him ' said member, said second leg having its opposite end free, said last-mentioned two legs lying in said plane normal to said one plane for receiving said free rope end from said bifurcated end, said one leg supporting a bitch in said last-mentioned free rope end as said last-mentioned free rope end is controlled to raise and lower said stirrup in said vertical plane as well as to hold said stirrup in said fixed positions therein.

4. The scafiolding apparatus according to claim 1 in which said last-mentioned attached means comprises a second non-linear element having one end attached to said member and projecting therefrom in said plane normal to said one plane, said last-mentioned element having a free end bent upwardly in said last-mentioned normal plane in a direction toward said uppermost element portion for receiving said last-mentioned free rope end from said bifurcated end, said second non-linear element supporting a hitch in said last-mentioned free rope end as said last-mentioned free rope end is controlled to raise and lower said stirrup in said vertical plane as well as to hold said stirrup in said fixed positions therein.

5. In a scaffolding apparatus including a stirrup comprising a horizontal element and a substantially nonlinear element having opposite ends joined to opposite ends of said horizontal element and extending thereabove in one plane therewith, said horizontal and non-linear elements forming a opening therebetween in said one plane, an annular member secured to an uppermost portion of said non-linear element and projecting thereabove in said one plane, block and tackle means detachably connectable to said annular member and including a hauling rope having one end fixedly secured to said block and tackle and having the opposite end free for raising and lowering said stirrup in a vertical plane coincident with said one plane and holding said stirrup in fixed positions therein, an inverted Y-device depending from said uppermost element portion in said opening in said one plane, said Y-device comprising three rectilinear members of which a first member has one end secured to said uppermost element portion adjacent to said annular member, said first rectilinear member depending normally from said last-mentioned portion in said opening in said one plane substantially in vertical alignment with said annular member, and second and third rectilinear members are mutually angularly arranged with said first rectilinear member in said opening in said one plane so that adjacent ends of said second and third rectilinear members are secured to the opposite end of said first rectilinear member while the opposite ends of said second and third rectilinear members are disposed in a direction diverging downwardly from said lastmentioned opposite end, said free rope end passing between said second and third rectilinear members and supported on said secured adjacent ends thereof during said raising and lowering and holding said scafiold in said vertical plane, and a hook mounted on said first rectilinear member, comprising a first leg having one end attached to said first rectilinear member and projecting normally therefrom, and a second leg having one end secured to the opposite end of said first leg and extending substantially perpendicularly thereto in a direction above said first leg substantially in parallel relation with said first rectilinear member, said second leg having its opposite end free, said first and second legs lying in a plane normal to said one plane, said first leg receiving said last-mentioned free rope end from the secured adjacent ends of said second and third rectilinear members and supporting a hitch in said last-mentioned free rope end during said raising and lowering and holding of said stirrup in said vertical plane.

6. In a rope hitching structure including a stirrup comprising a first horizontal leg, a second horizontal leg having a length shorter than that of said first horiozontal leg and positioned thereabove in parallel relation therewith, and a pair of further legs connecting the opposite ends of said first and second horizontal legs in one plane, said first, second and further legs in the joined relation having an opening therebetween in said one plane, an annular member secured to substantially a midpoint of said second leg and projecting thereabove in said one plane, a block and tackle attachable to said annular member and including a hauling rope having one end fixedly secured to said block and tackle and the opposite end free for raising and lowering said stirrup in a vertical plane coincident with said one plane and for fixedly holding said stirrup at differently preselected positions in said vertical plane, two rectilinear elements mutually angularly disposed so that adjacent ends thereof are attached to substantially the midpoint of said second leg and further so that opposite ends thereof depend from said second leg in a diverging direction in said opening in said one plane substantially in vertical alignment with said annular member, said two elements at said adjacent ends thereof supporting said free rope end received from said block and tackle during the raising and lowering of said stirrup in said vertical plane and during the fixedly holding of said stirrup at said preselected positions therein, and a curvilinear hook disposed in a plane substantially normal to said one plane, said hook having one end secured substantially to the attached adjacent ends of said two elements at a point lying in substantially vertical alignment with said annular member, said hook projecting from said last-mentioned ends in said normal plane and having a free end bent upwardly in a direction toward said annular member for receiving said lastmentioned free rope end from said last-mentioned adjacent ends and for supporting a hitch in said last-mentioned free rope end during the raising and lowering of said stirrup in said vertical plane and during the fixedly holding of said stirrup at the preselected positions therein.

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